Chaffinch

Chaffinch feeding

1/640 @f5.6, ISO 1600, 400mm
Canon 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series Lens

Chaffinch female

What was that?

Chaffinch and Damselfly

Do you mind I'm having lunch!

1/125 @ f6.3, ISO 1600, 400mm

Watermead surprise - 8 May 2013

We had walked, very slowly, most of the way round our usual short walk and seen nothing notable wildlife wise. Until we reached the "Hole in the Wall" hide, where we spotted a Greylag goose standing on a shallow spot in the middle of the lake. I liked the reflection.

1/640 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

While we were there we spotted a movement in the bushes nearby and eventually got this picture of a Black Cap.

1/800 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

Nothing else of note happened until we turned for the car park, out of the corner of my eye I saw a branch moving in a direction it shouldn't.

A moment later a Heron surprised us when he moved out along the branch and into view. As I stood there with my camera focussed on it, it started to stretch and shake its wings. It was looking right at me as if it were asking what I was looking at.

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 285mm

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 285mm

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 285mm

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 285mm

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 285mm

Then after a good shake it shouted at me, at least that's what it appeared to be doing.

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 285mm

A few minutes later it took off and flew close by before wheeling off into the trees.

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 400, 275mm

1/320 @ f7.1, iso 400, 275mm

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 400, 275mm

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 275mm

Back in the car park a squirrel watched Skipper intently until he was in the back of the car

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

We threw some nuts and seeds down to attract him but he preferred to stay in the tree. However we had visits from several birds like this female Chaffinch, a male Chaffinch and a Robin (last two not shown).

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

Then a greedy Blue Tit, who seemed to have a big appetite.

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

1/400 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

The Great Tit did some fast fly-bys I assume he got some food but he was so fast I couldn't see. Then we noticed him in the bushes.

1/200 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

All pictures taken on

Canon EOS 7d, with EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

Small Bird Central - 2 May 2013

Swithland woods just before it gets too crowded at bank holiday, was quiet and the car parks almost empty. Surprising then that at times it was like Piccadilly Circus with cars some leaving others arriving.

It didn't disturb the birds too much though and unusually it was a Coal tit that came to the stump first. It also broke its established habit by staying around for a while.

1/640 @ f7.1, iso 200, 400mm

It was followed by another tit, this time a Great tit ...

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

he departed when a Robin turned up and appears to be leaping for joy at the sight of the table of food before him.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

The Chaffinch refused to go to the stump, he stayed on the ground and picked up anything that fell off.

1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

The Coal tit came back for more and again stayed there long enough to pose.

1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

I know some of my blog followers like Nuthatches (and why not) so here are a few of the next visitor, followed by one of it in a tree.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

1/1328 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

1/2000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

1/640 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

The blue tit is always quick, he never waits around for long but I did get one shot of him.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

A movement in a tree nearby attracted my attention to this Coal tit puffing out his feathers.

1/1000 @ f7.1, iso 400, 400mm

All taken on a; 

Canon EOS 7d, with an EF 100 - 400mm L series Zoom Lens.

Who you calling shy? - 28 Feb 2013

We decided to go back to the stump in the Swithland woods and were glad we did.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

As usual the cheeky Robin was first to take advantage of the free feast.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The Nuthatch having made sure all was safe by watching the Robin's reconnaissance dived in next, taking the Robin by surprise and putting him to flight.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The Robin can always be relied upon to be a bit feisty and came straight back, forcing the Nuthatch to stay at the side.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Then they all cleared off when an unexpected visitor arrived.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Jays are said to be shy birds.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

But this one wasn't he returned several times and stayed long enough for me to take thirty pictures of him in a variety of poses.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

But all good things come to an end and he departed, only to return again as we were leaving.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

In between the Jay's visits a Blackbird, a Great Tit and a pair of Chaffinches stopped by.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

I took so many pictures it's taken me until today to sort them out. 

Between the showers - 18 July 2012

Even when the rain stops for a couple of minutes there isn't much wildlife about, on a recent visit to Swithland Woods I didn't see a single bird.

A quick dive out to Watermead Park between showers and there were only swans and mallard on the water, that was only for a free feed.

Canon Eos 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 390mm

Canon Eos 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/2656 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Back in the car park a couple of magpies were in residence, I think they must have scared off anything else.

Canon Eos 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/125 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

But not much stops the Chaffinch and here she is having a good feed.

Canon Eos 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L Lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Watermead Saturday - 30 June 2012

There weren't many water birds about today, probably didn't like the wind. But in the car park, I put out some seed on the fence post and just had time to pick up my camera before the first Chaffinch arrived. That was a male, a female soon followed and another male. There followed a bit of a discussion about who should be feeding there.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400mm L lens
1/160 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

This was a later visitor and he arrived with what looks to be an Emerald Damselfly firmly clamped in it's beak, I suppose it wanted some meat with it's veg.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400mm L lens
1/80 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The Great Tit went straight for the nuts when the chaffinch wasn't looking.

Canon EOS 7d, EF100 - 400mm L lens
1/80 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

And this malting Blue Tit wasn't too sure what to do, so it stood there looking scruffy.